Wildenstein Solar Park: Efficient use of land around motorways

For our long-term partner, the German renewable energy company SENS/Iqony, we successfully completed the Wildenstein Solar Park with an installed capacity of 24.5 MWp. The plant, powered by 43,410 panels, exemplifies an efficient construction solution located near a road. Notably, the client secured a buffer zone exemption for this project, enabling the PV plant to be built closer to the road than typically permitted by legislation.

PV power plants and motorway protection zones

The vicinity of roads and motorways is generally well-suited for photovoltaic installations, as this land is often affected by traffic-related contamination and is unsuitable for agricultural use. In the Czech Republic, recent legislative changes have reduced the motorway buffer zone from 100 meters to 50 meters, making such areas more accessible for PV development.

In neighboring countries like Austria and Germany, photovoltaic plants are commonly seen near motorways. In practice, it is possible to apply for an exemption from the buffer zone regulations. If approved by the relevant authority, this allows PV plants to be constructed closer to roads, further optimizing land use for renewable energy production.

Protection zones and their legislation

A protection zone (OP) is an area surrounding a specific object or site, designed to secure and protect it. In the energy sector, safety zones are also defined to protect the surroundings in case of potential damage, such as around gas pipelines. Key protection zones relevant to PV plant permitting include those for linear objects such as roads, highways, high-voltage power lines, and gas pipelines.

Each country establishes protection zones in its legislation based on the characteristics of the area or object being safeguarded. However, exemptions can sometimes be obtained if the applicant fulfills the criteria, typically set by the infrastructure owner, and demonstrates that the construction will not negatively impact the facility. The regulations and criteria for obtaining exemptions vary significantly between countries.

In our experience, German infrastructure allows for more frequent exemption applications compared to the Czech Republic. This reflects a generally more positive and supportive stance by German authorities towards renewable energy development, facilitating broader opportunities for PV installations.